Forensics
One-Week Summer Science Program
• BioSTEM Award, 2018, J&J • Top Summer Science Program, 2011-Present, NY Times/ThoughtCo.com • Top Robotics Program, 2017, RoboLoco • Best Medicine Program, 2018, ParentMap • Top Biomedical Engineering, StockTalk.com • Top 101 Summer Camps & Programs, How-To-Learn.com • #1 Marine Bio, 2022, ThomasNet, Xometry • Top Summer Programs, 2023, collegematchpoint.com • Best Computer Science, 2023, collegetransitions.com
With TV shows like CSI and Bones being so popular, Forensics has become an important and exciting discipline in science. This is a chance for students to delve into a subject they don’t see in school! Perfect for those who are interested in Anatomy and Biology or crime, no other course combines these topics as well as Forensics.
Last year, students studied fingerprinting and used their newfound knowledge to track down a culprit via the prints they left. They learned about anatomical indicators in bone structure, tissues, and teeth, even making molds of their own fingers and footprints. We included a lesson in facial reconstruction software as well which is oftentimes used to identify a victim.
This program is designed for teens interested in an investigative or pre-law / legal career.
Looking for a more in-depth forensics experience? Consider our three-week Forensic Science program.
Note: this page represents our best expectations for the program we will deliver, but is subject to change. We will update this page as new information becomes available.
SUMMER 2024 DATES:
June 17 – 21, 2024 | Olin/Wellesley, MA
July 29 – August 2, 2024 | Olin/Wellesley, MA
More About: Awards – Research Programs – Sample Week
Looking for more? Check out: Forensic Science
New 2024 programs and dates will be announced soon! Join our mailing list to be the first to know.
Course Overview
Join Dr. Rich Fox for an experience that offers brand new and additional material from his courses offered in years past. Students will receive forensics packages and be instructed on how to perform both hands-on and virtual activities with the given supplies. Students will have the opportunity to do the following activities:
- Learn various fingerprinting techniques:
- Students will use magnetic fingerprint powder and a magnetic fingerprint wand to find and analyze fingerprints used to solve crimes
- Students will learn a more traditional fingerprinting technique using a fingerprint feather duster to physically brush fingerprints and analyze them
- Students will use fluorescent fingerprint powder and a black light source to analyze fingerprints
- Students will use an investigative material known as hinge lifters, or single-sided tape, to lift fingerprints off of smooth surface evidence.
- Students will also use the following materials to gain further insight into fingerprinting: 10 FBI print fingerprint cards and Inkless ink pads
- Use Blood Typing to Analyze a Crime Scene:
- Students will use simulated blood and anti- serum to blood type the blood at a fictional crime scene. Students will analyze the various blood types in order to discover which suspect’s blood matches with that found at the crime scene in order to solve the case.
- Make Footprint Impressions:
- Students will be given the necessary materials in order to make a personal footwear cast and learn the skills required to identify footprints at a crime scene.
- Simulated Drug Testing
- This lab activity uses chemistry techniques to simulate spot testing for illicit drugs. Students will use a simulated drug testing kit, combined with the black light source to learn actual forensic drug testing techniques.
- Other Various Crime Scene Hands-on Activities:
- Students will be given other various pieces of evidence commonly found at crime scenes and will have to use the provided evidence bags and combination magnifying glass and tweezers to process and analyze them.
- Interactive Virtual Crime Scene Murder Case:
- Additionally, students will also have the opportunity to access an interactive virtual crime scene murder of an actual 19th century murder case. Other lab activities include analyzing evidence, recording data and utilizing a combination of scientific approaches and the most advanced online tools available to investigate.
- Analyze Simulated Poisons
- Students will access a graphic novel from Deborah Blume’s best selling novel, The Poisoners Hand Book and complete both virtual and hands on activities that involve analyzing simulated poisons. Further information on this activity can be seen here in a WGBH video featuring the course’s instructor Dr. Fox: https://video.wgbh.org/video/american-experience-tales-poisoners-handbook/
Dr. Rich Fox
Dr. Fox received forensic training at some of the finest scientific facilities in the country including; the Human Genome Project, The Human Remains I.D Lab, Oak Ridge National Labs, and The McCrone School of Microscopy. He has assisted with identification of remains from mass graves in Bosnia Herzegovina as part of a United Nations team. Fox is a member of the International Association for Forensic Identification. He has been selected for the Society for Science and the Public Fellows Program. Mr. Fox’s teaching assignments have included secondary schools in Las Vegas and Boston, the Johns Hopkins Center for Gifted Youth, and Tufts University. Rich was a 2012 Honoree of the Massachusetts Society for Biomedical Research.
Student Comments from Summer 2023
‘My experience at this camp was very enjoyable. The teachers were a lot of fun to talk with, and were helpful when I had questions. Their teaching style was very hands-on and interactive, and helped me to learn many things about forensic science.’
‘I liked the balance of lecture and labs that we had on the daily. The lessons on blood splatter, footprint, and fingerprints were all informative and fun.’
‘I loved Mr. Fox because he has lots of experience in the forensics field and he clearly has so many things to teach within the field, so I can keep staying engaged. I liked the hands-on activities that this course frequently keeps doing, which gives some type of real-life application.’
‘Dr. Fox and his TA were very kind and showed through their actions that they wanted you to learn and were excited to share their knowledge with us. They allowed us to go and figure out what we like to look into all these amazing things.’
Our Programs are Featured on the National Association for Gifted Children Website
Join Our Mailing List
Register & Pay for a Program
Apply For a Three-Week Program